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Root Canal Treatment

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Are you worried about getting a root canal?

Root canals have long been one of the most feared procedures in dentistry.

Today, however, dentistry has evolved to the point where root canal therapy is no longer the painful procedure it once was. It’s time to look past the bad reputation of the root canal and see it for the valuable, pain-relieving procedure it actually is.

Root Canal Therapy

Anatomically speaking, the root canal is the area of the tooth that houses the pulp and nerve. Sometimes this part of the tooth can become infected.

When this happens, not only is the tooth painful and sensitive, the infection can also spread to other areas of the mouth as well as other teeth. The most effective way to treat this infection is root canal therapy.

Once the anaesthetic takes effect, and you are completely numb, your dentist will create a small access point in your tooth. Working through this point, the infected material will be drained out along with the pulp and any other debris. The interior of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned out to make sure that no infection remains. An antibiotic medication may be placed inside the tooth to prevent further infection.

Your tooth will then be filled, and a cap or crown will most likely be placed. This is necessary because the structure of the tooth will be weakened, and a restoration will protect the tooth from breakage and also allow you to chew comfortably.

Do I Need a Root Canal?

If you have been experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, call our clinic. You may have an infection that could require treatment.

Severe pain in one or more teeth
Pain that is aggravated by chewing or pressure
Pain and sensitivity aggravated by hot or cold temperatures
Darkening of one or more teeth
A “pimple” on the gums
Swelling and tenderness in the gums that may radiate to the cheek or jaw

Call our practice to arrange an appointment. Root canal therapy may be necessary to get rid of your pain and reduce your stress. We strive to treat emergencies quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a Parent accompany a child into the treatment room?

We’ve been asked:

Should a parent accompany a child into the treatment room?

Dentists frequently prefer that parents do not accompany children into the treatment room since they want to gain the child’s attention and establish control of the situation.

However, for the first visit, it can be comforting for the child to have a parent come along for the process of getting settled into the chair. Some children do much better with a parent there for support, while others may become unruly because they know they can manipulate their parents. Some parents just can’t relinquish their child to another’s care and may interfere unnecessarily, or they may distract the child with bribes, reprimands and conversation.

Mary Anne does like having parents in the room. But, she does prefer to establish one-to-one relationship with the child (as in asking parents to observe only).

Could you stay out of your child’s line of vision and don’t talk.

If your preschooler finds it comforting to hold your hand the dentist may agree to let you do this after the first 10 minutes

There may be some occasions when if treatment is not completed/not attended we are obliged to report this to other child providers.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr Mary Anne Costelloe BDS Dip.Clin
Dentist

Mary Anne has owned this practice for 25 years after purchasing it from Dr Kerry Hamilton/Dr David Haszard after working for Dentists in New Plymouth for 2 years. She has a Clinical Diploma is Paediatric Dentistry and prides herself providing an environment that is very child and Adult friendly, and wishes her patients to understand the treatments offered to them. Mary Anne has 4 adult children and 3 grandchildren